If you have a small dog that eats until he's sick, this is the perfect item for you! I got this because my Malti-Poo would just eat and eat, which meant I could never leave him alone for more than half a day because there was no way to leave food for him. My grown kids couldn't be trusted to feed him, so I was at a loss. This feeder is perfect. It gives him the right amount of food so he doesn't make himself sick.